Kirby Reaches Pact With Miami

Ex-u.va. Star Gets $240,000 This Season

July 20, 1993|By DAVE JOHNSON Daily Press

Former University of Virginia and Tabb High School tailback Terry Kirby, who slipped in the NFL Draft until the 22nd pick of the third round, reached an agreement with the Miami Dolphins Monday morning.

Terms of the contract were not released, but Mike Battle, Kirby's agent with Sports Development in Richmond, said it is for three years.

Kirby was the last of the Dolphins' six picks to sign and will receive what remained from the team's rookie salary pool, which is $240,000 for his first year.

Kirby is at the Dolphins' training camp in Davie, Fla., and was not available for comment Monday.

``I can tell you that his was at the top of the realm for third rounders,'' Battle said. ``We've been working all weekend to get him signed. I'm sure he's relieved to get this behind him. He's excited, but he's not a material guy, so money doesn't mean everything to him.

``We're happy with it. You always wish more things would have fallen into place, but the most important thing is making sure that Terry is happy.''

Kirby, Virginia's career-leading rusher, was projected by many draft analysts as a first-round pick or at worst a mid-second rounder.

But rumors concerning his vision - one scouting service incorrectly reported he was legally blind in his right eye - perhaps caused him to fall to the 78th pick overall.

``I'm sure that cost him some money,'' Battle said. ``We were thinking late first, but you can never determine what's going to happen on draft day. He took a cut because of that, without a doubt.''

The Dolphins signed first-round pick O.J. McDuffie of Penn State Sunday to a four-year contract reportedly worth $2.76 million, including a $1 million signing bonus.

Miami's four other picks to have signed are cornerback Ronnie Bradford of Colorado, offensive lineman Chris Gray of Auburn, safety Robert O'Neal of Clemson and linebacker David Merritt of North Carolina State.

Battle said the recent signing of running back Keith Byars, who left the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, had an effect on Kirby's negotiations. Byars is regarded as an excellent receiver, which is one of Kirby's strengths.

``By acquiring Byars, that's going to take away some of the opportunities Terry would have,'' Battle said. ``Byars is a proven back. But they said the main reason they went after Byars is because of [fullback] Tony Paige's retirement.''

Defensive end Chris Slade, Kirby's teammate at Tabb and Virginia, remains one of three unsigned second-round picks by the New England Patriots.

Fred Whitfield, Slade's agent from Greensboro, N.C., said both sides are closer to negotiating a deal.

TERRY KIRBY

* 6-foot-3, 221-pound running back.

* 3,348 yards rushing, 105 receptions for 1,022 yards in college career at Virginia.

* Was 78th pick overall in NFL draft.

* Was the last of the Dolphins' six picks to sign and will receive what remained from the team's rookie salary pool, which is $240,000 for his first year.